Junior plans drawn up

Wimmera football and netball leaders will know by the weekend whether they have a green light from clubs to push ahead with plans for a revamped junior competition later this month.

AFL Wimmera Mallee area manager Jason Muldoon said a draft eight-round concept competition from July 25 to September 12 was on the table for discussion, with plans to announce a draw early next week.

“We’ve basically collected information from Wimmera and Horsham District league football and netball teams, grouped them up and sent out protocols they will need to adhere to for this modified structure to happen,” he said.

“The proposed competitions involve home-and-away games and no finals, with six clubs in one group and 10 in another.

“It is all about participation and giving kids an opportunity to play, but there are no club obligations.”

The proposal is for football at under-14 and under-17 levels and netball grades 13 and under, 15 and under, and 17 and under, with some crossover of leagues and club collaborations.

“This is a big call and it is very much a first draft and it includes only Wimmera and Horsham District clubs. We are planning for it to go ahead unless otherwise directed,” Mr Muldoon said.

Wimmera and Horsham District senior football and netball competitions have been called off but Western Victoria Female Football League open-age and youth competitions are scheduled to start on August 1.

The female senior league includes Horsham and Ararat teams and Horsham, Stawell and the Ararat in the youth division.